Extract from Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith

ParisNov. 13. 1787.

the people can not be all, & always, well informed. the part which is wrong [. . .] will be discontented in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive.
if they remain quiet under such misconceptions it is a lethargy, the forerunner of
death to the public liberty. we have had 13. states independant 11. years. there has
been one rebellion. that comes to one rebellion in a century & a half for each state.
what country before ever existed a century & half without a rebellion? & what country
can preserve it’s liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that
their people preserve the spirit of resistance? let them take arms. the remedy is
to set them right as to facts, pardon & pacify them. what signify a few lives lost
in a century or two? the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with
the blood of patriots & tyrants. it is it’s natural manure.